May 10 goal set for finishing reconstruction of Main and Universty intersection

Friday

Nov 22, 2013 at 3:35 PM

Nick Vlahos Journal Star reporter @vlahosnick

PEORIA — The intersection of Main and University streets is likely to undergo transformation before graduation.

During its meeting Tuesday night, the Peoria City Council is expected to approve measures to begin reconstruction of one of the busiest intersections in the city.

City Engineer Scott Reeise said the goal is for the project to be finished by May 10. That's one week before diplomas are distributed at Bradley University, which lies at the southwest edge of the junction.

"We want the intersection open for Bradley graduation," Reeise said Thursday during a bus tour of some of the city's capital projects. "Summertime is a very busy time at that intersection."

Wintertime likely will be busy for Peoria public works officials as they prepare for repairs to an area damaged in September by a water main break.

Public meetings are likely after Jan. 1 to determine how construction detours will be routed through adjacent neighborhoods, Reeise said. The detours likely will include features such as raised pavement, to discourage speeders and reduce traffic.

"The real concern is that the traffic is just going to cut through on Moss Avenue or Columbia Terrace," said at-large Councilwoman Beth Jensen, who lives near the intersection. "Staff has to really work hard on retraining and reeducating the public to use different routes than University between (Interstate) 74 and Downtown."

The total budget for the project is $2.6 million. Illinois American Water is to pay $740,000. About $1.4 million of the remainder is to be paid by a shift of funds from another project that has received a federal grant for the same amount.

Terra Engineering Ltd. of Peoria and Illinois Civil Contractors Inc. of East Peoria are to design and construct the project, if the council approves.

"It's a collaborative effort to speed up the actual construction," Reeise said about a process that deviates from the usual way such projects are bid.

A five-member panel selected the Terra/ICCI submission from among three the city received, Reeise said.

The plan calls for raised pavement at the Main-University intersection and three lanes of traffic to radiate from it. A center, left-turn lane is included.

Curb extensions are to widen pedestrian crossing areas and allow for on-street parking past the intersection. Water mains are to be relocated away from it, Reeise said.

No doubt all the construction will cause some inconvenience. But Jensen believes the finished product will receive stellar grades.

"In the long run, this is a real plus and a real win for the city and the neighborhood," she said.

Nick Vlahos can be reachedat 686-3285 or nvlahos@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @VlahosNick.